The titular critter—a plump, vaguely draconic monster with jester-hat horns and a very few pointy teeth in its smiling mouth—opens with its “Hugglewug Song,” introduces readers to its family and friends and, like a relentlessly cheery drill-sergeant, leads them through a variety of exercises from counting to I Spy. “My Hugglewug Lullaby” promises release, but no—turn the page and, “Let’s Sing Again!” The amount of visual stimulation on every page will overwhelm board-book–age children and their grown-ups alike; readers’ eyes will cross trying to keep track of the tiny, spinning figures. That’s not even mentioning the stomach-churning sweetness that pervades the whole: “Lola is so wuggly! I’m so snuggly! Baby is so Hugglewuggly!” Teletubbies on Red Bull. (2-3)
Pub Date: Dec. 1, 2008
ISBN: 978-0-7636-3981-5
Page Count: 32
Publisher: Candlewick
Review Posted Online: May 19, 2010
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Dec. 15, 2008
Gentieu creates an engaging set of photographs for very young eyes. Every spread pairs a large full-color close-up of an infant and a phrase that has clearly recognizable echoes for adults: “Where are baby’s toes?” and “How big is baby?” On the facing page, superimposed against soft pastel backgrounds, are several smaller photographs of infants engaged in a relevant activity, e.g., “Clap hands baby!” appears with babies engaged in enthusiastic attempts at patty-cake. Clad in colorful diapers, these cherubs smile, frown, laugh, and frolic through the book, candidly expressing a wide range of emotions. The direct correlation between text and photos provide children with visual clues that reinforce their comprehension of basic words and phrases. (Picture book. 1-3)
Pub Date: April 1, 1999
ISBN: 0-517-80028-4
Page Count: 24
Publisher: Crown
Review Posted Online: May 19, 2010
Kirkus Reviews Issue: April 1, 1999
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
Readers who love the Stella series will be glad to see that her brother Sam has his own second story. With covers tangled at the foot of his bed, Sam can’t sleep because Fred is missing. Stella is reluctant to leave the warm comfort of her bed and suggests that maybe Fred is hidden under the bed or outside, or even in the closet. Sam is ready for these possibilities, telling her that his puppy sneezes under the bed, is afraid of the dark, and won’t go into the closet with the monsters. Stella changes her tactic and offers techniques for getting to sleep, but finally realizes that sleep won’t be a possibility for either of them until Fred is found. Together they creep through the house, not noticing that Fred is actually everywhere that they look, just hidden. Perfecting the interaction of siblings as they try to go to sleep, Gay offers a rich text to accompany her swirling watercolor illustrations. Charming. (Picture book. 2-3)
Pub Date: Aug. 1, 2003
ISBN: 0-88899-530-X
Page Count: 24
Publisher: Groundwood
Review Posted Online: May 19, 2010
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Sept. 1, 2003
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